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A change in tone at the Tony’s

Ben Platt, winner of the award for Best Actor in a Musical for "Dear Evan Hanson, poses in the press room during the 2017 Tony Awards at 3 West Club on June 11, 2017 in New York City.(Photo: Mike Coppola, Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

“The things that make you strange are the things that make you powerful.”

These were the words spoken by Tony Award and Dear Evan Hansen star Ben Platt at the 71st annual Tony Awards. The award show honored the work of plays and musicals that opened in 2016 and 2017 and illustrated a caliber of work that represents the human experience through fictional narratives.

The host, Kevin Spacey, was a character. He was a perfect combination of a young and adventurous Lin-Manuel mixed with the determination of Matthew McConaughey to find his purpose as a host.

The musicals nominated this year all told different and necessary stories for America, but they didn’t carry the same tone from last year’s. Kevin Spacey did his best to keep the energy high and audience engaged but the evening felt mechanical as each act transitioned from the next. As musicals did their numbers and awards were given out, it didn’t feel like everyone got the same amount of spotlight as the next nominee. While some awards were given during commercial breaks and others on stage, the joy and excitement of the Tony’s this year was mostly shown in the musical numbers and James Earl Jones receiving his well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.

A notable award would be Andy Blankenbuehler’s third Tony for Best Choreography. He has also received the Tony for his work with Hamilton and In the Heights, both with the renowned Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The most iconic snippets of shows were Miss Saigon, Falsettos and War Paint because of their contemporary resonance with audiences and the messages that followed these works. Eva Nobelzada’s provocative performance in Miss Saigon gave the audience a snapshot of the unfortunate circumstances and illusions that war builds for those on front lines. Falsettos had quick-pace vignettes of the main character’s different worlds colliding that showed the swiftness of life and the internal confusion that comes with making a big change. The duet of War Paint shows the inevitable conflict between two women that want to become economic powerhouses but end up finding admiration and respect for each other.

Amidst these high energy performances, Lin-Manuel Miranda said, “during difficult times, musicals have not only provided us with entertainment and escape. They have also given us hope.” These plays and musicals showed that American theatre has made a great step forward but still needs to keep pushing the envelope for diversity and multicultural inclusion.

In case you missed it, below is a list of the winners from the 71st annual Tony Awards:

Best Musical: Dear Evan Hansen

Best Play: Oslo

Best Revival of a Play: August Wilson’s Jitney

Best Revival of a Musical: Hello, Dolly!

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Ben Platt, Dear Evan Hansen

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Kevin Kline, Present Laughter

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Bette Midler, Hello, Dolly!

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Laurie Metcalf, A Doll’s House, Part 2

Best Original Score: Beni Pasek & Justin Paul, Dear Evan Hansen

Best Book of a Musical: Steven Levenson, Dear Evan Hansen

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Michael Aronoy, Oslo

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Cynthia Nixon, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Gavin Creel, Hello, Dolly!

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Rachel Bay Jones, Dear Evan Hansen

Best Scenic Design of a Play: Nigel Hook, The Play That Goes Wrong

Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Mimi Lien, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

Best Costume Design of a Play: Jane Greenwood, Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes

Best Costume Design of a Musical: Santo Loquasto, Hello, Dolly!

Best Direction of a Play: Rebecca Taichman, Incedent

Best Direction of a Musical: Christopher Ashley, Come from Away

Best Lighting Design of a Play: Christopher Akerlind, Incident

Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Bradley King, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812